Friday 28th March

Friday, 28 March 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

First Bus has invested £12 million in buying 26 electric buses to run on routes in Somerset. Approval has been given to build 18 new homes in South Petherton. Somerset’s recycling sites, including Yeovil, will revert to their spring opening times next week. This year’s Somerset Drama Festival has been won by Ilminster Entertainments Society...and more.

A fleet of new electric buses will soon start running on Somerset roads. First Bus has bought 26 of the zero-emission vehicles at a cost of £12 million, £2 million of which has been provided by the government. The electric buses will run on all routes in Somerset, including in Yeovil.

Organisers of this weekend’s Yeovil Half Marathon are reminding runners of a change to the start line. In previous years, the race has started outside the library in South Street. This year it will start on the High Street, outside Superdrug. Around 1400 people have so far registered to compete in Sunday’s Yeovil half-marathon.

People in Yeovil are being asked to have their say on plans to extend dog control measures in Ninesprings Country Park..The measures, which include a dog exclusion zone as well as making owners keep their animals on leads, expire in June. Somerset Council wants to extend the protection orders by three years and has started a public consultation that runs until the 5th May.

Somerset’s recycling sites, including Yeovil, will revert to their spring opening times next week. From Tuesday, April 1st, all of Somerset’s 16 recycling sites will open from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, and 9 am to 4 pm at weekends.

Final approval has been given to build 18 new homes in South Petherton. The houses will be built off Lampreys Lane by Acorn Homes of Taunton. The application, that’s been on hold for five years, was approved at a meeting of Somerset Council’s Area South Planning Committee after the developer agreed to additional phosphate mitigation on the site.

This year’s Somerset Drama Festival has been won by Ilminster Entertainments Society with their production of My Best Friend. The festival, featuring nine groups performing 10 plays, was held at the Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more